Vehicle mounted storage systems

ABSTRACT

A box or roof rack to safely store cans of ammunition of other military gear that is mounted on a military vehicle. Ammo container box may include a compression device to secure loaded materials, the compression device may be operated manually or through an electric motor, or other means. The roof rack may include telescoping overlapping plates for variable sizes of rack.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present-application includes subject matter disclosed in, and claimspriority to, provisional applications emitted Roof Rack Systems filedFebruary 3, and Feb. 7, 2017 and assigned Ser. Nos. 62/454,619 and62/455,876, respectively, describing inventions made by the presentinventor and incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention regards stowage solutions on military platforms,specifically roof racks and lockable boxes, and platforms to secure thefollowing: ammunition, smoke, M.R.E., water bottles, assault pack,grenades, rock sacks, and other necessary needs to accommodate soldiersin theater or combat situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ammunition container comprising two side walls, a partial back wall,floor, and moveable lid. Each wall and floor preferably have shapedholes for drainage of rainwater and snow. The lid of the container opensand closes for installation and removal of ammo cans or other items. Thelid may be operated manually through a latch, and may be operatedthrough an electric motor, pneumatic motor, or hydraulic motor. The lidmay use a spring to open the lid, or may alternatively use a gas springshock, a screw jack, hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, worm drivelinear cylinder, manual operation, suspension air bladder, pivot arm,over center lifting device, and/or geared handle and sprocket. The lidmay include a manual override to open with an automated feature.

Interior divider walls may be used. The container may be lined withfoam, padding, bed liner, rubber coating, rubber panel plastic panel.The container may be hinged at the base to tilt the box in an open andclosed position. The container may have a removable floor wherein thecontainer lifts up. The wheels of the container may be mounted on theside walls to assist in re-installation with the floor. The containermay be a solid piece with non-removable lid. The container may have aroll up door as an alternative to tilting lid. The container may have alid that rolls on wheels in a track for the lid to slide in anydirection. The container may have a full back wall and a lid that slidesfrom the top and pivots down to make a 4^(th) wall. The container mayhave a full back wall and a lid that slides from the bottom and pivotsup to make a 4^(th) wall. The container may have hinged side walls topivot downward allowing side access. The container may have layered sidewalls that extend to allow for telescoping and varying size options.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a container of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates a quad sectional container in a partial opened topposition embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a bi-sectional container in a fully openedone-hundred-eighty degree opened ton position embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3C illustrates a uni-sectional container in a closed top positionwith overlook embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a six can wide container embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a framed container mount embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a side perspective view of a framed container mountembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of a framed container mount embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5D illustrates a front view of a framed container mount embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cutaway cross-sectional side view of thecontainer of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cutaway cross-sectional side view of thecontainer of the present invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of the crank and bar pressure systems ofthe present invention at unengaged status.

FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of the crank and bar pressure systems ofthe present invention at unengaged status.

FIG. 8C illustrates a top view of the crank and bar pressure systems ofthe present invention at engaged status.

FIG. 8D illustrates a side view of the crank and bar pressure systems ofthe present invention at engaged status.

FIG. 8AA illustrates an underside view of a lid embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8BB illustrates an underside view of a lid embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of a removable container system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9B illustrates a front view of a removable container system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9C illustrates a perspective view of a removable container systemof the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a partially exploded view of a removable tray andcontainer system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a small dismount container embodiment of the presentinvention in perspective view.

FIG. 12A illustrates a perspective view of a sliding lid containerembodiment of the present invention in closed position.

FIG. 12B illustrates a perspective view of a sliding lid containerembodiment of the present invention opened near 270°.

FIG. 12C illustrates three a perspective views of a sliding lidcontainer embodiment of the present invention opened 180°.

FIG. 13A illustrates a lop view of a roof rack embodiment of the presentinvention in closed telescopic sides.

FIG. 13B illustrates a side view of a roof rack embodiment of thepresent invention in closed telescopic sides.

FIG. 13C illustrates a top view of a roof rack embodiment of the presentinvention in open telescopic sides.

FIG. 13D illustrates a side view of a roof rack embodiment of thepresent invention in open telescopic sides.

FIG. 14A illustrates a top view of an open roof rack embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14B illustrates a side view of an open roof rack embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14C illustrates a side view of a closed roof rack embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14D illustrates a perspective view of an open roof rack embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 14E illustrates a top view of a closed roof rack embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15A illustrates a rounded C-clamp embodiment of the presentinvention in opened and closed position.

FIG. 15B illustrates a rounded C-clamp embodiment of the presentinvention in closed position.

FIG. 16A illustrates a side perspective view of a closed rounded C-clampof the present invention.

FIG. 16B illustrates a side perspective view of an open rounded C-clampof the present invention.

FIG. 16C illustrates a side perspective view of closed squared C-clampof the present invention.

FIG. 17A illustrates a top view of a base mount for C-clamps of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17B illustrates a top view of a base mount for C-clamps of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17C illustrates a top view of a base mount for C-clamps of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17D illustrates a side view of a base mount for C-clamps of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a container with hinged frontwall in open position.

FIG. 19 illustrates a container with rollup folding doors in partiallyopen perspective position.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of a container of the present embodimentopen at 45°.

FIG. 21 illustrates a front view of a double door lid container of thepresent invention in partial see-through.

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of a slide and fold lid containersystem of the present invention.

FIG. 23A illustrates a partial see-through front view of a container ofthe present invention in compressed positions.

FIG. 23B illustrates a partial see-through front view of a container ofthe present invention in uncompressed position.

FIG. 24A illustrates a front view in partial see-through of a containersystem embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24B illustrates a side view in partial see-through of a containersystem embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25A illustrates a cutaway side view of a container of the presentinvention with varied size cans placed therein.

FIG. 25B illustrates a cutaway side view of a container of the presentinvention with a large sized can placed therein.

FIG. 26A illustrates a see-through side view of a container of thepresent invention in compressed positions.

FIG. 26B illustrates a see-through side view of a container of thepresent invention in uncompressed position.

FIG. 27A illustrates a see-through side view of a pneumatic cylinderembodiment of the present invention in open position.

FIG. 27B illustrates a see-through side view of a pneumatic cylinderembodiment of the present invention in open position.

FIG. 28A illustrates a side cut away view of a container of the presentinvention with optional compressed and uncompressed positions.

FIG. 28B illustrates a rear cut away view of a container of the presentinvention with optional uncompressed position.

FIG. 29A illustrates a see-through perspective view of an embodiment ofa lower mounted air bladder lift compression system in compressed formin a container.

FIG. 29B illustrates a see-through perspective view of an embodiment ofan upper mounted air bladder lift compression system in compressed formin a container.

FIG. 29C illustrates a see-through perspective view of an embodiment ofa lower mounted air bladder lift compression system in uncompressed formin a container.

FIG. 29D illustrates a see-through perspective view of an embodiment ofan upper mounted air bladder lift compression system in uncompressedform in a container.

FIG. 30A illustrates a perspective view of a sliding door container inopen position.

FIG. 30B illustrates a perspective view of a sliding door container inclosed position.

FIG. 31 illustrates a front cutaway view of a screw scissor sidecompression system container of the present invention.

FIG. 32 illustrates a partial cutaway front view of a side impact airbladder compression system container of the present invention.

FIG. 33 illustrates a partial cutaway front view of a jack sidecompression container system of the present invention.

FIG. 34A illustrates an exploded front view of an alternative containerfold down holder embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 348 illustrates a slightly ajar right side view of an alternativecontainer fold down holder embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34C illustrates a closed right side view of an alternativecontainer fold down holder embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34D illustrates an exploded side view of the lower portion of FIG.34A.

FIG. 35 illustrates a view of the underside of a lid of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 36 illustrates a side view of a ratcheting container system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 37 illustrates a front view of a ratcheting container system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 38 illustrates a side view of a ratcheting container system in openposition of the present invention.

FIG. 39 illustrates a side view of a container embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 40 illustrates a top mount sliding door container system of thepresent invention in closed alternative open and partial open positions.

FIG. 40A illustrates a top mount sliding door container system of thepresent invention in closed position.

FIG. 41 illustrates a side view of a sliding door container system ofthe present invention with bottom sliding door in alternative open andpartial open positions.

FIG. 41A illustrates a side view of a sliding door container system ofthe present invention with bottom sliding door in closed position.

FIG. 42A illustrates a side view of a dual door container system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 42B illustrates a front view of a dual door container system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 42C illustrates a front open view of a dual door container systemof the present invention.

FIG. 43A illustrates an underside view of a lid of a lid of a containerof an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43B illustrates a front side view of a lid of a container of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43C illustrates a perspective underside view of a lid of acontainer of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44A illustrates an underside view of a lid of the presentinvention.

FIG. 44B illustrates a front side view of a lid of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 44C and 44D illustrate a magnified side view of alternativepositions of the compression device of the lid shown in FIG. 44A.

FIG. 45 illustrates an underside view of the lid of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 46 illustrates a partial cutaway side view of a containerembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 illustrates a perspective view of the removable container systemof an embodiment of a tray and container system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 48A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 48B illustrates a perspective view of a container embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 48C illustrates a perspective view of a container with open doorembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48D illustrates a perspective view of a container with crownembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48E illustrates a front view of a loaded container embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 48F illustrates a partial cutaway side view of a containerembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48G illustrates a from view of a container embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The roof racks and ammo boxes have multiple configurations to speed uploading or unloading. Existing ammo trays use traditional straps tosecure gear and ammo within the tray. It takes 5+ minutes to exitvehicle, undo the straps, retrieve munition to sustain combat vehiclesituations, re-secure the straps, and return to the safety of vehicle.The present invention has average time of 15 seconds to exit vehicle,retrieve munitions, and re-enter vehicle to engage the combat situationspeeding time of recovery and keeping the soldier out of harm's way fora shorter period of time, saving both time and lives.

Ammunition Boxes

Ammo box (or container, or storage container) refers to the largercontainer to hold ammunition cans, and generally includes six mam sides,as is known in the art of military equipment. Ammo box lengths can rangefrom 5 inches to 6 feet and have a width of 8 inches to over 4 feet,intended to store on or up to many more ammo cans. Ammo boxes can beproduced to be capable of withstanding G forces that are applied in offroad rough terrain combat situations from 5 lbs to 2,000 lbs+, toprevent jostling of ammo cans or other equipment stored therein. Thestructure of the ammo storage containers can be square, rectangular,octagon, or the like with a flat bottom. The ammo box may include abottom tray, optionally with vertical walls, that can be stationary,fixed, hinged to fold down, or open outward away from box shapeconfiguration making access easier and faster to retrieve needed ammo orother supplies. Often times, they will have a planar bottom, or at leasta portion of the bottom will be planar or otherwise contoured to mounton a vehicle. The ammo container can be made to have an adjustable sizethrough telescoping walls of the bottom and top and/or sides to adjustto different ammo load configurations, expanding the size from smallpayload to large payload of ammo cans. The ammo container may havehinged lids to contain various sized cans, Jerry cans, water containers,or the like. The lid may be fixed in a closed, secure position or openin an angle up to 270° in movement.

The lid of an ammunition box can open in a variety of fashions, and maybe located on the top, or sides, front, back or bottom as needed. Thelid can also move in a horizontal sliding motion in any direction: tothe right, to the left, to the font, or to the back, which operates on arail, in a channel, on a hearing surface or the like. The lid can folddown to the side in a vertical position, after sliding to its furthestpoint on the top or bottom of the ammo container, pivoted on a hingepoint. The lid may use side to side folding down along the side of thebox container rear side, right, left, front side of the ammo containerson drawer slides channel-bearing roller slides allowing a movement in,out, side to side sliding action allowing the lid to be moved to itsfurthest point with option to allow lid to rotate from a horizontalposition down to a vertical position. The lid can pivot on a pin,tubing, shaft, axle, or hinge or the like, allowing the lid to rotate ina 0° to 270° angle for range of motion when opening or closing the lid.In some instances where clearance on top of a top-opening box islimited, such as to a few inches, the lid may be openable to a slightextent necessary to provide clearance for a can to be removed, such asthrough an open front end. The container can have springs on an axlehinge to assist in lifting the lid and/or utilize a hydraulic cylinder,electric linear screw driven actuator, air lift actuator, or an airspring strut or anything that can assist in lifting or closing the lid.The lid can be secured to the ammo box container with multiple latchsystems such as: single stage, double-stage, door latches, spring hook,cam latch, over center latch, spring pin latch, rotating latch, cam overlatch, push button latch, sliding latch, snap down latch, roll up doorlatch, or the like that will secure the lid to the base walls of theammo container. The ammo container can be made of sheet metal, aluminum,carbon fiber, plastics, or any material robust enough to maintainstrength under heavy load, vibration, or G force that can be applied tothe box structure.

The floor and ceiling or side walls of the ammo box can be layered insuch a way to provide expandability of the dimensions of the ammocontainer in width, length and/or height. When the two halves arestacked upon one another, the ammo container is in its smallestsize/position. Pulling the two sides apart creates a telescoping actionwherein the layered walls are pulled apart and rest parallel to eachother. The two sides will lock in place creating the largest size with aslight overlap between to the two halves to secure them together. Therecan be several sizes between the smallest and largest size where thesides can be locked in place, allowing for greater flexibility.

Conveyor System in Ammo Box

The ammo container can be built to accommodate a conveyor system,wherein once engaged, one ammo box advances at a time with assistance ofan accessible panel (or channel) built into the box that may allow aconveyor belt to facilitates alignment and movement of the can throughthe ammo container channel. The conveyor may reach an access through theexterior of the vehicle and provide supply of cans into the interior ofthe vehicle, preferably on a conveyor system. The conveyor system wiltpreferably provide for the can to be moved into the interior of thevehicle to access by a passenger, the ammo can being manipulated, orrotated, for ease of use and access. The conveyor may terminate insidethe vehicle, thus eliminating the need for a soldier to exit the vehicleto retrieve the ammo stored on the outside. The conveyor can be made ofrubber, chain, cables, pulleys, or any material robust enough to supportthe weight and facilitate movement of loaded or unloaded ammo cansthrough the ammo container one can at a time. The start button to movethe conveyor will be programmed so that one ammo can moves at a time. Itcan be wired or wireless and can be operated by a switch, remote, cellphone, or button on the container. The conveyor can be operated throughan electric motor, hand crank, air motor, hydraulic, or the like. Thecontainer can also accommodate a compression system wherein each ammocan is compressed down from the top, up from the bottom, or squeezedfrom the sides. Engaging movement of the conveyor belt will alsodisengage the compression system allowing movement of the ammo can,before recompressing the remaining ammo cans inside the container at theend of the movement cycle.

Compression Systems

Within the ammo container, one or more of a multitude of compressionsystems can be used. Compression here is a term used to describesecuring devices that mate with a side wall of the storage item (e.g.can) and place a certain amount of pressure against the stowed item toprevent the item from moving. The compression arm does not necessarilyrequire literal compression of the Item to function as required tophysically secure the location of the item relative the box. Thecompression system include built-in securing devices that may be mountedon the lid/roof side wall, and/or bottom of the box.

Compression mechanism can include a rotating wheel cammed compressionplate, dial, or disk slides upon an inclined surface when the handle isrotated, forcing the two inclined surface parts to slide upon eachother, forcing the plates away from one another, expanding its depth.For example, when the two plates are together and the cams are at theirlowest point, the surface can be 1 inch in depth. When rotated to thehighest level, the depth will increase to 2 inches. This appliespressure against an ammo can that keeps it in a stationary positionwithin the container.

The compression systems may span the full width or length of thecontainer to split the container in sections. The compression systemsmay compress down from the top, up from the bottom, or provide squeezedfrom the sides to accommodate different sizes of ammo can within thesame container: 762, 50 cal, smoke grenades, flares, Mark 19, 556Linked, Fat 50, 30 mm, 40 mm, 30 cal or the like. The compression devicecan utilize a scissor jack similar to a standard car jack or pivotingarms cammed to apply pressure from the bottom, top, or sides of thecontainer that is operated manually through hand force of the operator.The compression device may be mounted on the lid, or on the floor orside walls of the ammo box. The compression device can also be operatedwith an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motor connected to a screw(preferably acme), threaded screw, or the like, hydraulic cylinder,pneumatic cylinder, air suspension bladder (leave spring or coil springsrotating mechanical cam that can be pivoted to lift a staged L-shapedarm. When pivoted, the arm will be pushed up or down, pivoting off theaxis of the 90° L-shaped arm in a seesaw movement. When rotated, thepivot arm and/or pivoting plate will come into contact, compress, andhold ammo cans in a stationary position until released.

The compression device can utilize a condensed foam, rubber foam, rubbermats, waffle robber mat, honeycomb shaped medium, or any material robustenough to be compressed without causing damage to an ammo can that canbe molded, glued, or adhered to the lid, floor, or sides of thecontainer that apply pressure to an ammo can that can keep it stationarywhen in a closed position. The compression device can utilize a springassisted jack, a bumper style jack, a camming device, a ratcheting gearpress, or any object that applies mechanical advantage to applycompression that is lockable and releasable.

The ammo container can accommodate various heights of ammo can from 4inches to 48 inches by utilizing a rubber, neoprene, plastic, metal,foam, or the like material to make contact with ammo cans to preventdamage while being compressed into a contained position. The ammocontainer will rest upon a base with or without rails to attach tovehicle with bolts, screws, be welded, use aviation track and attachmentbolts or the like to secure box container to platform attachment point.

Alternatively, or in conjunction with a single direction compressionsystem, an over centering tie-down device that utilizes a bungee orstretchable webbing material can be used to secure ammo cans within thecontainer. The tie-down device has a hook attached to the device andanother sewn on opposing end of the webbing. The hook end of the webbingcan also use an adjustable linkage so that the ammo container can beformed with grooves or cavities to make the rear book end of the webbingadjustable in height. The webbing and over-center device will be pulledover the various sizes of ammo cans and secured to the front of the ammocontainer either ratcheted or over centered to secure the load in placeuntil released.

Operating and Accessing Containers

The lid of the ammo container can open and close through operation of: aworm drive, direct drive, geared electric motor, hydraulic, pneumatic,transmission or non-transmission hinge, gear operated, lever arms, aneveryday common hinge or the like, track with wheels or bearingsconnected to the lid and ammo container, or anything that will addmechanical advantage to sliding the lid in any direction or lifting upto a tilted position. It will be operated by a water proof switch or thelike.

The front of ammo container can have a raised lip, a flat surface, or abearing roller that partially or completely spans the width of thecontainer to aid in loading and unloading ammo cans ranging from 5 lbsto 150 lbs. The rolling surface will prevent wear on the ammo containerand ammo cans by reducing friction during the loading and unloadingprocess which lengthens the longevity of each product.

The walls of the ammo container can also include panels that act as asecondary wall panel that move through mechanically over centered cams,cross bar hinge, screw, air bladder, or hydraulic or pneumatic devicesthat apply pressure to move panel from front, rear or sides inward tosecure ammo can within the container.

In the bottom or top of the ammo container lies a spacer, which can beextruded or formed from a plate with one end formed to support a hingepin and the opposing side is an open hook shape. The hinge pin movesvertically within an oval channel in the side walls of the ammocontainer. The end of the S shape that surrounds the pin pivots upon thepin which allows the spacer to move in an open or closed position. Theopen end of the S shape hooks onto the side wall of the ammo containeror a bearing roller surface. The spacer accommodates larger cans andfolds down to become a spacer for smaller size ammo cans. It will helpprevent smaller ammo cans from sliding front to back within the ammobox.

The ammo container can utilize a liquid or powder coated paint, a CARCpaint, a powder coated rubber material, spray coated bed liner, moldedrubber, neoprene, foam, or the like material to prevent vibration, andreduce noise of metal on metal, contact, clanking, rubbing, squeezing,or the like from wearing the surface of container and/or ammo cans.

Roof Rack

The present invention also incorporates the use of a roof rack containerdesigned to stow gear, ammo cans, water, backpacks, MRE's, or the likeand other gear utilized in combat. The roof rack can be mounted on topof the roof of a vehicle and may include a planar bottom with angledbrackets to mount the contour of the (armored) vehicle. The racks can beproduced with metal, aluminum, carbon fiber, plastics, or materialsrobust enough to handle heavy loads, vibration, and extreme G forcesapplied upon the rack.

The rack can comprise of square, round, octagon, or the like tubing, Cchannel, E channel, formed brackets, or extruded formed channels to aidin assembly to produce section that may be locked in one position oradjustable: telescoping in and out to lengthen or widen the size to fitthe vehicle when it's mounted on and load it carries. The telescopingallows a 20 inch side or railing to extend up to 38 inches, 30 inch sideor railing extend up to 58 inches, 58 inch side or railing extend up to114 inches in length or width, giving the user one rack that can fit anyapplication or vehicle. The telescoping is preferably set prior tosetting out on a mission, the roof rack is preferably telescoped in thedirection of the facing vehicle.

Example vehicles for mounting the ammo boxes and features to include:JLTV, M-RAP, MATV, HUMMVVs, Hemmet, PLS, Cougar, pickups Trucks,transport vehicles, vans, trailers, or the like with only changes tomounting system brackets to fit alternate vehicle sizes the frame systemcan be boiled, welded, molded oi the like to form flame utilizinglatches bolts for adjustable locks.

The floor of the roof telescoping roof rack utilizes two floor platesthat have perforated ovals, round, square, octagon, or the like holes toprevent water, snow, or the like from staying in rack during use ornon-use allowing it to drain which prevents corrosion. The floor platesoverlap each other when rack is in the closed or smallest positiondirectly over each other the floor plates can slide with one plate ontop, one plate on bottom extended to desired length or width required,then mounted on vehicle. The floor braces can be welded, bolted or thelike to two L brackets that overlap each other to move in conjunctionwith the frame and flow plates for adjustability. The L brackets arefixed to the rails and are welded, bolted, and/or otherwise secured totruss brackets so that the adjustment bolts only need be loosened orlatches released to shorten or extend the frame, floor, or trussbrackets.

C-Clamp

The (vehicle) may also include mounted C-Clamps or push-down clamps. Aformed hinge clamp can be comprised of steel, aluminum, rubber molded,plastics, or materials robust enough to withstand everyday use andsecure an object until released. The function of this clamp does notrequire a spring to open and close, but operates through mild pressureby pulling up and out to release or pressing down and in to close. Thethree hinge points of the clamp act as a spring, popping the clamp downin a closed position or popping open similar to a spring assisted clamp.A locking mechanism can be applied to the outside of the clamp that onceobject is secured within and over center, or latch, or the like can lockit, preventing the clamp from being released.

The push down clamp of the present invention utilizes square, octagon,rectangular, round, oval, or the like shape sides with hinges that arein the center splitting the shape in half, and two hinges slightly offcenter to the base mount. The shaped side walls are welded, bolted,molded, or the like with a hinge on each side of the formed shape thatwill force the side open or closed by pressing down to lock or pullingup to release, the rotation of the center hinge or molded key acts likea spring to three the two bottom hinge or molded shape side to springdown closed or spring up to release. The top outside of the clamp devicecan be built with an over center or locking mechanism, lockable ornon-lockable latching system so when closed can be latched to preventrelease of pioneer tools, spare barrels, extinguishers, tripod, largedismount weapon, Hummer, AXE wrenches, shovel, picks on the like toolswished to lock and hold until needed for a quick release and/or stow forfuture uses.

Reference numerals for Compression device 15, may include compressionarm 17, Compression foot 16 for mating with can 3 or other stored item,a compression panel 20, with buttons to engage compress 21, oruncompressed/release 22. Compression may be supplied by compressionpower device 25. Container may include a lower containment roller bar 30that acts to prevent the can from sliding out, but can act as a rollerto allow the can, once lifted onto roller bar (after lid open) tomaintain weigh of can as can is rolled out. Crank handle 10 is used torotate an internal threaded beam or bar that then is used to extend thecompression arms/foot, in a similar fashion to a car jack as is known inautomotive arts.

Referring now to FIG. 1 in an embodiment of a mounted container, adaptedfor mounting onto a vehicle, is shown. Container 1 may be referred to asan ammo container, ammunition container, box, container box, etc. or asotherwise known in the art. Container 1 mourns onto a surface withmourning brackets 7. Container 1 is used to store items such as tools,boxes, equipment, or most notably ammunition cams as are known in theart. In FIG. 1, it is shown two cans containing 30 mm rounds are shownin the container. Container includes lid 2 on top of container, sidewalls 202 on the side of container, and back wall (not shown). Lid 2will include a top side preferably with sheet metal supported lid weldedangled iron for security. Lid may include front top lip 204 to join withover center handle 11 to secure cans, or other material in container,from coming out of front end as exposed shown. Over center handle hingesover hinge points 211 to lift over center handle and thereby raise lidat an angle via hinge tube pin cap bolts 12. Lid may also be held downby hinge spring 8. Hinge for lid may also include hinge tube 14. A hingesupport 13 may also be used to support the hinge and lid on container.Container includes bottom side 201 and sides 202 and front 203. In orderto access cans within container, over center handle 11 is lifted andthereby clanging position of over center linkage 5 at pivot point forover center handle pivot linkage 6. Once material is safely inside ofcontainer and over center handle 11 is closed, an internal compressionsystem can be used to further secure cans within container. In thepreferred embodiment, the lid includes compression pad (shown below)that can be lowered onto a surface of the can via a crank. Crank handle10 is used and is lifted and then rotated to drive a threaded rod (shownbelow) to cause the pads to drop onto a top surface of cans. Crankhandle 10 is held within crank handle 9 to prevent exposure prior tousage. When used, crank handle 10 is lifted from crank handle holder(rotated) to allow manual cranking rotated in a 360° pattern.

As can be seen in reference to FIG. 2, container 1 includes positionwhereby container is beginning to be accessed whereby lid begins to belifted. Over center handle 11 is first lifted up rotating around pivotpoint 211 thereby moving over center handle pivot linkage 6 and liftingover center linkage from container. Optionally, padlock apertures 205may be included to provide a locking of the lid onto the container.

FIG. 3 demonstrates various embodiments of the container. As can be seenin FIG. 8, a dual can version is shown, similar to previous embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As can he seen in FIG. 3B, a quadruple containerversion is shown and as can be seen in FIG. 3C, a single containerversion is shown. As can be seen in FIG. 3C, the same container 1includes over center linkage 5 and over center pivot linkage 6 alongwith over center handle 11 to provide access via lid 2 and front 203 tocans 3 inside container. Mount brackets 7 are shown below bottom surface201. Flat surface 22 of front container should not include a lip so asto avoiding inhibiting pulling a can out of container directly forwardof front end. This embodiment demonstrates an improvement over the priorart containers which include a lip. In the alternative embodiments shownin FIGS. 3A and 3B, a roller tube, or roller rod 21 is included raisedslightly above bottom surface 201 and includes a cylindrical rod thatcan be rolled along axis 221. As shown in FIG. 3A, lid is open atapproximately a 70° angle 17 along hinge rod 14. Apertures 15 in the lidcan mate with apertures in the side walls 202, apertures 215 embeddedtherein to provide for locking. Inside latch tube may include handles 16to provide for access to cans therein. Container side walls 202 mayinclude also a latch cutout 20 in container. As can be seen in FIG. 38,cans 3 sit within container 1. Lid 2 is shown open at a 180° angle 18.Latch tube at handles 16 are shown exposed, and the lid includes cutouts19 to provide access to release handles.

As can be seen in reference to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of asix can container is shown. Six can container 29 demonstrates how sixcans 3 can be mounted onto a bottom frame 201 and mounted by a bracket 7onto a vehicle or flat surface. Cutouts 28 such as oval holes to provideease of weight on side wall 202. Lid 2 hinge is provided via hinge tubepin 12 and spring 8 with hinge tube rod 14 allowing rotation of lid 2.Further, a hinge support 13 may be used. In this present embodiment,angle bend 26 is provided to cover hinge and spring. Latch 25 isprovided through aperture in lid to release lid. A latch pin supportcover 27 may be used to secure latch. Crank handle 10 is shown whereby asingle crank may operate one or more interior compression devices. Insuch embodiment, it is contemplated that a single compression device cansecure all equipment, or cans, within container wherein preferably allcans include the same height, and a single rod can be lowered onto thetop surface of the cans 10 compress and secure them therewith.

As shown in FIG. 5, a mount can be provided. In the present instance,the base frame container mount 31 is provided for access to items incontainer therein when mounted onto a vehicle. Container mount 31 mayinclude accessory mounts 32 for various accessories used. Base framecontainer mount 31 is preferably secured via frame mount brackets 33,and may be mounted directly on or hanging off of a roof via roof mountbrackets 34. As can be seen, it is preferable in some instances for thecontainer not to include a flat front, but to provide access at variousangles, in this instance a preferred layout is an octagon, whereby eachof the containers is offset by anywhere from 36°-45°.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, a cutout side view of the container, similarto shown in FIG. 1, is shown. In this view, the side wall 202 issee-through. One can access container 1 via center handle 11. One canaccess pressure system 240 via crank handle 10. Crank handle 10, andcompression system 240, may be mounted on lid. Lid may be lifted alonghinge rod 14 with spring 8. In the preferred embodiment, the spring isone of a torsion spring type. In FIG. 6, a partial scissor device isshown. Small arm 38 is attached via adjustment nut 44 to threadedpressure screw 43. Threaded pressure screw 43 can be rotated via crankhandle 10 thereby adjusting location of screw adjustment nut 44 can movealong channel mount 41, preferably an oval channel for small arm tosecure movement when the screw is rotated to lower or raise the pressuredevice 40. Female threaded nut preferably can slide within the channel.As threaded nut 44 moves toward back 204 of container, small arm 38 isforced to the left, and the end 238 of small arm is lowered within thecontainer. Lowering of end 238 causes pressure to force large arm 39 torotate at large arm pivot mount 42 to cause foot pad 40 along far end239 to then secure foot pad lower onto a can within container. Crank arm10 can be rotated in one direction to provide for lowering of foot pad,and in the alternative direction to allow for raising of foot padthereby securing via compression, and releasing pressure on item forremoval. As used in the present invention, the term compression is aterm of art used to refer to a simple pressure that is placed onto asurface. Compression does not necessarily refer to the actualcompressing of the device. As a certain pressure is placed onto (forinstance the lid of the) can, the can is thereby secured. Thecompression device does not provide for ease of movement, and thereforedefining the space wherein the can exists, and allows for the can to besecured within container.

While FIG. 6 demonstrated the compression device activated and lowered,FIG. 7 demonstrates a very similar embodiment of the compression deviceis an up or uncompressed position. Compression device will be in the upposition to allow for access to cans within and for the act of insertingcans into container. Compression device rotates out of the way andallows for access to interior space of the container 200. As can beseen, large arm 39 is secure close to the top and underside 302 of lid2. Foot pad 40 is raised higher out of way of the lid and latch system.

Further detail of such crank based compression system is shown in FIG. 8via FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D. FIGS. 8A and 8B demonstrate thecompression system in the up for uncompressed position. FIGS. 8C and 8Ddemonstrate the system in an extended or down, or compressed, position.As can be seen, crank handle 50 is lifted whereby handle portion 250would be perpendicular the open face 203 (not shown) to allow forrotating crank manually by a soldier in the field (for instance). Ascrank handle 50 is rotated (not shown), adjustment screw bushing allowsfor threaded pressure screw 43 to rotate freely therein. As threadedpressure screw 43 rotates, adjustment nut 44 can thereby be moved withinchannel 41 and cause the compression system to activate. Foot pad 40 isshown in FIGS. 8A and 8B along long arm 39. Long arm 39 can rotate atpivot mount 42 along pivot bolt 47. Adjustment screw bushing long armand short arm are fixed via joint 52 whereby they can rotate aroundfixed joint 52 relative one another. Foot pad pivot holt 48 may besupplied along foot pads joined with long arm 39. Furthermore, a torsionspring 49 to provide to push foot pad back and secure the relativeorientation of foot pad. As compression system is placed into downposition (as seen in FIGS. 80 and 8D), small arm 38 is forced back anddown via adjustment nut 44 thereby forcing long arm to rotate downwardvia pivot bolt 47 and thereby causing foot pad 40 to lower. It ispreferred that loot pad 40 will include a bottom surface for mating witha can therein.

As further seen in FIGS. 8AA and 8BB, the compression system can bemounted via channel mount 41 to lid 2. As seen in these FIGS. 8AA and8BB, the lid is nipped upside down to provide for a viewing of thecompression system mounted thereon. Small arm 38 is shown mounted tochannel mount 41 via nut 44. Long arm 39 is mounted to lid via large armpivot mount 42 and connected via pivot bolt 47. The undersurface 240 offoot pad 40 can be seen with a specific surface feature. In thisdemonstration for illustrative purposes, but not to be limited, thesurface includes a number of arrayed circles that may be seen on arubber overlay. By including a rubber overlay on foot pads 40, therubber overlay can be compressed and cause friction with a surface of acan (not shown) so as to secure the can therein. Adjustment screwbushing 51 is shown and crank handles 50 are to be placed outside of thelid for access for manual rotation after lid is closed. Furthermore, tosupport rotation of crank handles 50, supports such as triangularsupports 54 can be used on either side of threaded screw 43.Furthermore, larger rectangular supports 55 can be used to secure theintegrity of lid to front surface 204.

As seen in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, an alternative embodiment of thecontainer with multiple internal sections can be seen. FIGS. 9A, 9B, and9C demonstrate a side view, front view, and perspective view,respectively. The embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, and further describedbelow in FIGS. 10 and 47, include a system with a tray and removablecontainer. In this way, rear removable container 58 can be removed frombase tray 59 similar to how a lid might otherwise be removed. Whenremovable container 58 is removed, access to cans stored therein can beprovided for via front, top and sides. As shown in FIG. 9A, removablecontainer 58 can be removed from tray base 59. Base mount 65 can securetray 59 to a vehicle or other surface. Release latches 64 may be used toallow for release of removable container 58 from base 59. A pressuredevice 61 may be used to secure container to tray. As can be seen morefully in FIGS. 9B and 9C, cans 60 of various sizes can be included.Given the provision of three separate compression devices 340 cans ofvarious sizes can each be secured separately. As can be seen in FIG. 9B,pressure device 340 is in a down, or holding, or compressed situationagainst cans 60. In any embodiment, a divider wall 62 may be included toprovide sectional access to space within container. The divider wall 62are preferred within a removable ammo container on a base. In additionfront lip 301 can be provided at various steps such as 301 and 301Ashown in FIG. 9C to allow for various size and depth of items withincontainer. Further, a top tray 63 may be included above compressiondevices 340 for additional storage. The top may include a crown 266. Thecrown may provide for storage of additional items thereon, and furtherinclude loop holes 66 to provide for tie downs, or other devices, to besecured within loop holes. The top tray would preferably be located ontop of a flat surface of the container.

As further seen in FIG. 10, removable container 58 is being removed frombase tray 59. Removable container 68 is thereby removed from tray 69 toprovide for access to storage therein. Of note, container may include anassembly wheel to ease removal and installation of container onto basetray. Furthermore, a narrow and complementary sized wheel well 74 may beincluded in the lower surface of base tray 69 to provide for flushmounting of container into tray. Wheel 70 will exceed the lower surface268 of container 68 and thereby in order to make lower surface 268 mountwith base tray surface 269. Wheel well is required to be recessed. Wheelwell 74 should be as low as or lower than mounts 65. In someembodiments, a roller tube 72 will be included in the front of the tray.When cans are placed therein, and the container is then removed, thecans can be rotated or lifted slightly so that they rest bristly ontoroller tube 70 and thereby can be easily removed providing the weight ofthe can onto the roller tube and pulled out of tray. Oftentimes, thecans within these containers can be at a very high level and of a verygreat weight, therefore necessitating ease of removal. Side wall 202 mayinclude weight holes 270 to limit the weight of the overall container.Removable container may also include release latch 71 to mate withcomplementary features on tray.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, a longer or larger container is shown in linewith the containers shown in FIG. 1, etc. In this embodiment, a folddown spacer bar 81 can be used to secure cans in the container, andprevent cans from leaving, or falling out of front face 203. Cans 3 willthereby be secured. Lid 76 of container 75 can be secured and rotated,fid will rotate along hinge 14. A lid hinge stop 80 may be included tomate with a lid hinge boss 281 on container side wall 202. Releasehandle 77 provides for release in the same way as an over center handle.Latch 79 may be included to secure release handle 77 closed.

As can be seen in the embodiments of FIG. 12, a sliding lid may beprovided that allows for access to the front and top of the container.As seen in top left, container lid is secure. At the bottom, thecontainer lid has been slid back in parallel with the bottom surface,and in the top right the lid can then hinge and drop down. Box container84 includes sliding lid 85. Slide rollers 86 allow for lid to slidealong a roller track 87. Lid 85 can thereby be rolled off of the top ofthe container and out of the way to provide access to the inferiorcontainer. A lid latch 88 may he included to prevent sliding of the lidwhen not required. A lid hinge pin tube 89 may be used to secure the lid85 closed.

Referring now to embodiments of a roof rack, as can be seen in FIG. 13,roof rack 90 is shown. On left, telescoping roof rack 90 is in condensedform 90A. On right, telescoping roof rack 90 is in expanded form 90B. Ascan be seen on top left FIG. 13, a top view of roof rack 90 includes anexterior channel 92. Channel is preferably part of an extruded frame andprovides channel frames. Channel frames allow for the extension of theroof rack. Roof rack 90 also includes square tube floor trusses on theunderside of roof rack 90. Corners 94A include corner trusses 94 toprovide support for the exterior corners of roof rack 90 whenconsolidated or expanded. Roof rack farther includes roof mounts 95 oneither end of roof rack in the front and rear. Roof rack includes rightand left sliding floor panels 96 and 97, respectively. Alternatively,sliding floor panels may be front and rear. Roof rack includes extrudedframe holder plates 98 to contain roof rack panels. Roof rack alsoincludes top floor panel 99 serving as a floor of the roof rack. Floorpanel 99 may include features such as an array of apertures as shown toprovide for water and other weather drainage. Roof rack may also includea bottom floor panel 100. As can be seen on the right side in expandedform 90B, two panels of roof rack provide for an extended floor base foradditional storage capacity.

In an alternative embodiment of roof rack, as can be seen in FIG. 14,roof rack 100 can include square tube inside a two frame 101 and squaretube outside frame 102. Square frames provide for rectangular shape ofroof rack. Front roof mounts 103 and side roof mounts 104 provide formounting of both sides 104 and the end 103 to allow for roof rack to besecured and slide open towards rear of vehicle. Roof rack is preferablymounted on top of vehicle. Side roof mounts 104 may be angled toaccommodate the orientation of a roof sliding floor plates top andbottom 106 and 107 are provided. As can be seen in the top view on thebottom right of FIG. 14, when roof rack is in condensed form, slidingfloor plates top and bottom 106 and 107 are maintained one atop theother. When in expanded form as shown in the top two figures of FIG. 14,plates 106 and 107 are extended and cover a further area. Roof rackincludes side roof mounts 104 with sliding channel 110 for providingrails on mounts to slide plates. Furthermore, top tie down rail 111 maybe included with holes to provide for securing of products via ties,etc. FIG. 14 includes in counterclockwise starting on top left inexpanded top view, a front view, a side view, a top view in condensedfrom, and on top right a perspective view. Locking apertures 105A can beused to provide a bolt or other fastening device to secure roof rack ina number of secured opening positions from completely condensedpartially open and fully open as can be seen in a number of holes inboth FIGS. 13 and 14 labeled 105A.

Referring now to embodiments of the clamp, or otherwise referred to asC-clamps, refer to FIGS. 15-17. As can be seen in FIG. 15, a C-clamp 310is shown in closed form left and open form right. C-clamp is formed onmount 113 which can be placed on any solid surface, preferably a flatsurface. Most preferably C-clamp will be mounted to a vehicle. Mount 113includes mount apertures 113A to provide for fasteners into the surfacebelow. Clamp includes two rising plates or walls as shown as plates 311and 312. Plates 311 and 312 are attached to mount 113. Top of plates 311and 312 include right hinge 115 and left hinge 116, respectively. Hinges115 and 116 preferably travel along the length of the top of plates 311and 312. Attached at hinge 115 and 116 are right and left side halves117 and 118 which are hingedly coupled to rotate along right and lefthinges 115 and 116. Furthermore, right half and left half are coupled toone another via bottom hinge 114. As clamp is used, hinges 115 and 116remain stationary, while bottom hinge 114 rises in the open position(shown right) and falls in closed position (as shown on left). Afastening mechanism is preferably used to attach right and left sidehalves when connected. As shown, a latch or snap 119 is included tocouple with a complementary feature the latch catch 120. As shown, latchsnap 119 is affixed on the outer surface of right side 117 to mate withcomplementary feature latch catch 120 on left side 118.

As can be seen in various embodiments, as shown on FIG. 16, pairedviewings of the latch are shown. In top left, a non-spring clamp isshown with a rounded style clamp 122. As opposed to the feature of FIG.15, wherein the lower hinge included a spring along bottom hinge 114biasing the apparatus open, in the embodiment as shown on FIG. 16 nospring is used. All sorts of shapes for the clamp may be used as wouldbe needed for various items to be held in clamp. For instance, thetriangle style clamp 124 can be used, a square clamp 123, and a octagonclamp 125 among other shapes for the clamps. As can be seen in FIG. 17,mount and attached plates are shown. Mount 113 in FIG. 17 demonstratesthe top use of alternate mounts, and one side view at bottom right. Ascan be seen or otherwise understood by one having skill in the art, byusing two halves hinged to raise plates, the clamp can be self closing.The style of the top of the hinge along plates 311 and 312, those hingesbeing shown as 115 and 116, provide for a flared pattern that allows forthe self clamping mechanism. Center hole 130 includes flared edges,while four corners of the mount shown as 321 are used for mounting ontothe surface of the vehicle. Hinges 115 and 116 are curled to provide forflexibility to allow clamp to close.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a perspective view of a container system ofthe present invention is shown. As shown in FIG. 18, a tailgate systemis shown. Tailgate functions as a front end of the container, while alid is also used. Tailgate includes tailgate door 133, here shown openat 90°, which may be closed by lifting up 90° to provide a front wall.Preferably tailgate will include a hinge 134A and chain or othermechanism to hold in place and limit the opening angle of door, such aschain 134. Chain may also be a scissor arm or other means known in theart. Furthermore, latches 136 may be used to attach door when closed toside walls or otherwise to fixed walls within the container. A pivotlatch 137 may be used along pivot latch bar 137A to provide for closingand/or affixing closed with lid 139. As can be seen, lid 139 includes apressure device 138 (in this case three pressure devices) to provide forsecure storage of products placed within container. Each pressure device138 includes crank arm 10 which may be used to rotate threaded bar 43and thereby cause arm 239 to force foot 40 down against product placedtherein. Hinge 141 attaches lid to container to provide for closing oflid.

Further embodiments of the present invention may include alternativefront side and tops. For instance, as seen in FIG. 19, container 1 mayinclude rollup folding arms. In this embodiment, rollup arm on left 242is shown rolled approximately the length of one of the panels 242A.While the right panel 342 are shown rolled up along track 442approximately two panels. An alternative sliding door of an embodimentof the present invention may be used, such as that shown in FIG. 22.Here panels 242 provide for the top cover and are rolled up along track442 in the leftmost direction of the invention. Mounted on hinges 542each of the panels is rotated upward to allow space for the remainingpanels as panels are opened.

The present invention also includes automated, motorized, or otherwisepowered lid and pressure systems. While previous embodiments typicallydemonstrated manual pressure systems and manual lids, either or bothopening of the container or activating and deactivating pressure systemmay be utilized. As can be seen in FIG. 20, container 1 demonstrates lidopen at approximately 45°. Lid may include a hook or other aperture 515to mate with a complementary feature on container wall 515A to providefor padlock locking. In this embodiment, opening of lid is automated viapressure. For instance, control panel 700 may be used. Control panel mayinclude up button 701 and down button 702 to activate a hydrauliccylinder 144 to provide lift. In the alternative, power may be providedby air or pneumatic cylinder, electric screw, or other means known inthe art. Power supply 710 provides for electric, or pneumatic, or otherhydraulic systems to power lift. Supply line 720 provides for either asignal, power, or other supply to allow for lift mechanism to activateit. As shown in FIG. 21, an alternative system is included with apowered compression system. In this embodiment, double door box 146provides for container opening lid 2 here shown with various openingangles. Compression system may include a motor 447 that is powered toprovide motor drive hinge to cause scissor arms 148 of compressionsystem to force compression down. Alternative compression systems arealso shown in FIG. 23. In this embodiment, rather than using pads andscissor arms, a screw jack pressure system is used. As shown, a singlefoot pad 540 is used against more than one can 3. The screw jackpressure system is shown in a down position at top left whereby loot pad540 is placed against a top surface of cans, and in an open oruncompressed position 153 where foot pad 540 is not placed againstcontainers. The screw jack pressure device is of the common screw jacksystems as would be known in the art. In this case, a screw jack systemis mounted on the roof underside of the top panel or lid. Control panel700 may include various buttons to activate the screw jack compressionsystem. For instance, control panel 700 may include an up button 711 touncompress a down button 712 to compress and perhaps an indicator 713 toindicate to a user whether or not the pressure system has been activatedgiven that FIG. 23 shows a see-through version whereby the cans may notbe visible from the exterior of a closed container. As can be seen inFIG. 24, a turn dial screw system may be used. As shown a turn dialscrew in an up or uncompressed position is shown in the top left and inan activated down position 155 placed against a can therein. The turndial screw is similar to one known in the art. As understood, thecurrent compression systems may include various compression systems usedfor varied sized objects within a single container. For instance, asshown in FIG. 25, smaller can 3A and medium can 3B, and large can size3C are shown. To accommodate various sizes, more than one compressionsystem may be applied side-by-side as shown in top left of FIG. 25. Afirst arm 339 is shown at a medium can height, a middle arm 439 is shownat a lower position while a third arm 539 is shown also at mediumposition. In the lower right in an up position for a larger container,the arm is shown in a retracted position 639. Given the multitude ofcompression devices therein when automated compression devices are used,a single control panel 700 may include multitude of buttons, forinstance in up buttons 701, 703, and 705 corresponding with the threevaried compression arms and down buttons 702, 704, and 706 correspondingto the three arms as well.

Further compression devices are shown in FIGS. 26-29, and FIGS. 31-33.As can be seen in FIG. 26, a scissor compression device may be shown.Scissor compression device 158 provides for automated power via engine558 to force compression scissor arms down and forcing foot pad 540against top surface of can. Alternative system such as a hydraulicdriven scissor compression device is shown in 159 with compressiondevice disengaged. Either electric or hydraulic maybe used in variouscompression devices here shown both in electric engine 558 and hydraulicpress 559. As can be seen in FIG. 27, a pneumatic cylinder may be usedto power the lift arm to raise lid 2 of container 1. Pneumatic cylinder160 provides for pressure on lid thereby opening via up and down buttonson control panel 800. Given that either pneumatic cylinder 160 orhydraulic cylinder 161 may be used, power supply may include power orair or fluid to activate system. For instance, air is supplied by a line801 to 801A in pneumatic version while fluid may be supplied viahydraulic supply lines 802 and 802A info system. It is contemplated thatair or fluid entering system would be under pressure from an outsidesource. As can be seen in FIG. 28, shown at left is a side partialsee-through view including at least two compression devices 630. Firstcompression 630A is an uncompressed and second device 630B is incompressed mode. Hydraulic supply is shown via hydraulic cylinder 631pressing up rod 632 to force first arm 633 up as arm 633 is attached torod 632 and further to compression device 630 long arm 634 as rod israised arm 633 rotates in a counterclockwise motion forcing long arm 634to engage raising or lowering foot pad. As can be seen at right of FIG.28, a rear view of the system is shown. In this embodiment, piston 631forces arm 633 up and down to adjust location of pad. Support beam 650may be used to secure and support compression device. As shown in FIG.29, an alternative compression device using an air bladder is shown. Airbladder in this embodiment is not known in the vehicle arts for raisingand lowering trusses or frames of vehicles. On left FIG. 29, air bladdercompression device is shown in activated and deactivated at top andbottom left. In embodiment 163, container is shown with a compressiondevice below can 3 fixed on bottom of container surface. In thealternative as shown at right in FIG. 29 compression device 664 is shownmounted onto underside of lid. Compression device is activated at topright and deactivated at top left. FIG. 30 demonstrates an alternativesliding front door. Front door 750 slides up along rail 751 from closedposition at bottom right to open position at top left in a similarmotion to a garage door on track 751 as is known in the art.

As can be seen in FIGS. 31-33, various embodiments of compressiondevices with side compression are shown. For instance, FIG. 31demonstrates scissor arms 780 and 781 at right and left, respectively,providing for compression against cans 3 housed within container 1.Alternatively, FIG. 32, an air bladder may be used that is exercisedagainst the side of cans 3 at contact area 803 to secure cans withincontainer air bladders 790 and 791 at right and left are shown. Supplyfor air bladders is shown via tube 792 supplying air bladders with airfor compression and decompression of bladders. Alternative jack sidecompression system shown in FIG. 33 is similar to those in earlierembodiments whereby root pads are forced against contact area on cans803 to provide for compression and securing cans laterally withincontainer.

An alternative container fold down holder is shown. In FIG. 34, folddown holder 900 is one that may be used to hold various utensils 901onto racks 902 to provide for storage on a vehicle. Vehicle 1000 may bemounted via fold down holder mounts 905. Rack may be collapsible asshown at top left in various modes partially collapsed 920 and fullycollapsed 930.

Referring now to FIGS. 35 and 45, the underside of lid 2 is demonstratedwith alternative compression devices. As can be seen, lid is shown inunderside perspective is shown. Fool pads may be replaced with acompression bar 640 which may include pads or cozies 641 to provide forinteraction with a can placed therein. Threaded bar 43 may be used tomodify location of pads 640 so as to move them up and down away from thelid against a can placed therein. Similarly, bushing 51 may be used.Support brackets 54 may be placed on lid between top surface 602 andfront surface 603. Lid may include apertures 615 to mate withcomplementary features in side walls of container to allow for lockingvia bolt padlock etc. Latch 653 may be used for accessing lid anddisengaging lid to allow for opening of lid 2 via hinge bar 14 and hingetube 12 to rotate lid on container. Compression device further includestracks 643 that allow movement of fool pads along track. A further arm649 may be used so that when threaded bar pushes compression system arm639 causes bar to move along track and separate from lid. As morethoroughly shown in double arm compression lid of FIG. 45, foot pad bar640 may be mounted onto arms 639 such that arms will rotate inconnection with threaded bar 43 along mounted hinge tracks 644.Reinforcement bracket 643 may provide a channel for threaded bar 43 togo through and may terminate in a final bracket 646. As threaded bar isrotated causes pads to rotate at hinge point 644 to provide forapplication of compression device.

Alternative ratcheting container lids are shown in FIGS. 36, 37, and 38.Providing a ratchet handle bar 611 can be moved up and down to providefor ratcheting of rack 612 and thereby force lid to rotate from axis 12to open container. Alternative lid in opening processes are shown inFIG. 39 through 42. As can be seen, container includes lid with singlecompression system in an up position. Latch 653 is shown to demonstratelid in closed position. Foot pad 40 may be moved downwards via spring740 to provide compression against can placed therein. Further sideviews of a sliding door embodiments are shown in FIGS. 40 and 41. Asshown on left, sliding door may be mounted onto top of container and inright bottom container. Top mounted sliding door container 800 providesfor door to rotate as shown at bottom left at hinge location 814. Asshown in various stages at bottom left, door can be moved from closingto 45°-90° open whereby it is generally parallel with bottom of thecontainer. At that point, sliding door can be slid along track 811 toconceal door 803 within container 800. Wheels 810 may be used tofacilitate sliding in track 811. Alternative embodiment 41 demonstratessliding door with bottom mount. Similarly, container 801 includes door803. Door 803 may include wheels 810 on side to match track 811. Door isopen from closed position at top to semi-open, and open, position shownat bottom. Door is then slid in direction of arrow to the right alongtrack 811. As shown in FIG. 42, side view A, front view B, and frontopen view C are shown. Door 903 may be hinged at 914 on either sidethereby opened to provide access to container 900.

Alternative disk compression system is shown in FIGS. 43 and 44. As canbe seen, lid 2 viewed from the underside is shown. FIG. 43A includes theunderside flat view, FIGS. 43C shows perspective view of underside oflid, and FIG. 43B shows front facing side view of lid 2. Compressiondevice 905 may be a disk compression device. Disk compression deviceincludes various mounted wedges 915 mounted onto underside 930 of lid 2.Alongside wedges 915 are complementary wedges on wheel 940. Wheel 940rotates around axis 941 to engage complementary sliding wedges. Onemanner of activating wheel wedge is via moving activation arm 943 alongvarious set compression states designated by holes 945. As arm 943 ismoved from left to right, wheel is rotated counterclockwise to engagesliding wedges. As can be further seen in FIGS. 44A, 44B, 44C, and 44D,wheel 905 rotated along axis 941 via movement of wheel arm 943 from leftto right provides for activation of compression system whereby wheel isforced away from lid 2 to provide compression. Starting at uncompressedside view of wedge system in FIG. 44D, mounted wedge 915 sits along asurface of lid 2 and wheel wedge 916 rests thereon. As wheel wedge isrotated, as can be seen in FIG. 44C, wheel wedge 916 is moved towardsleft causing a force against mounted wedge to force the wheel mountedthereon away from lid. In an alternative embodiment, wheel wedgecompression device may be activated via a manual wheel mounted on top oflid to provide rotation of wheel well. Alternative manual wheel (notshown) on top of lid may provide a screw adjustment, whereby threadedscrew would be positioned directly perpendicular lid surface to cause apad within system coupled to lid to force down against cans placedtherein.

FIG. 46 demonstrates a partially see-through side view of a containerwith a double arm compression as it otherwise described above. FIG. 47demonstrates an alternative embodiment of a removable container withwheel and crank arm with divided sections and crown as previouslydescribed with further attributes as may be needed. Further, FIGS. 48A-Gdemonstrates, in order, top view, perspective view, alternativeperspective view with door open, perspective view, front view, side viewof door, and front view.

While the embodiments set forth, shown, and otherwise described in thisdisclosure contain matter embodying the present invention, theparticular illustrations and embodiments should not be seen as limitingthe present invention generally. The present invention includescontainer systems that may, or may not, be mounted onto a vehicle orother surface. The container systems are used mounted on a vehicle. Thecontainer may include various modes of access, security, and mountingonto tray or directly via brackets or otherwise onto vehicle surface.The invention includes various compression devices and systems that willsecure the location of items stored within container. The compressionsystems may be mounted on lid, side walls, bottom, back, or otherwise inthe container so as to secure location of items therein. Preferably 5-10pounds of pressure will be used by compression system to hold matter inplace. Rubber gaskets, pads, etc. may be used to capture the compressionforces and otherwise provide for friction to hold cans or other items inplace. The container may use powered systems to open the container.Power opening systems can include any known in the art includingelectrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc. Control pads may be used toaccess the container. The container may also be locked by outsidelocking mechanisms. Furthermore, the compression systems may be operatedmanually, such as via crank arm, wheel arm, or exterior wheel to providefor compression of items therein. Alternatively, other power sources asknown in the art such as hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, etc. may beused to activate compression devices into compressed and uncompressedsystems. Typically when uncompressed container is accessed and an itemwould be placed therein, container would then be closed, and compressiondevice would, be activated. As compression is activated, either manuallyor automatically, at the point at which a significant force is feltinhibiting further compression of the compression device (such as uponcontact with the can or other item therein), the compression may becompleted. When using automated compression, it is contemplated thatthere will be a sensor to indicate whether or not compression iscontinuing at predetermined force ranges so as to detect when an item inthe container is properly secured.

While these embodiments are meant to illustrate the invention, oneskilled in the art should be able to understands the varied advantagesof the inventions shown herein. Description of the inventions isgenerally meant to cover all embodiments, and lack of review of specificelements in later embodiments should not be viewed as limiting thedetail required in later embodiments. These and other embodimentscomprised in the claimed invention are hereby claimed and should beotherwise understood by one having ordinary skill in the art.

1. An ammunition container box comprising at least one side, said boxadapted to contain at least one ammunition can, said box comprising: a.at least one compression device mounted to the interior of said at leastone side, said compression device including at least one surface adaptedto mate with an exterior surface of the can; b. wherein said compressiondevice adapted to move between at least a first retracted position, anda second extended position wherein said surface extends into space ofcontainer to contact an exterior surface of the can.
 2. ammunitioncontainer box of claim 1 wherein said compression device comprises athreaded bar crank system, wherein a crank handle is fixedly coupledwith a threaded bar, said threaded bar coupled to a compression arm, andwherein rotating the crank handle and threaded arm moves the compressionarm and thereby forces compression device into extended position.
 3. Theammunition container box of claim 2, further comprising a support barthat is mounted on the threaded bar to allow for manipulation of thecompression arm.
 4. The ammunition container box of claim 2, wherein thecrank system is mounted onto the underside of a container lid.
 5. Theammunition container box of claim 4, further comprising support bracketsmounted on an interior of the lid surface on opposing sides of thethreaded abr.
 6. The ammunition container box of claim 1, wherein saidcompression device comprises an air bladder coupled with said at leastone side for compressing and securing the can.
 7. The ammunitioncontainer box of claim 1, further comprising a front side wherein thecans can be loaded therethrough, said front side including a roller barmounted near a bottom of the front side, said roller bar mounted alongtwo side walls and free to rotate.
 8. The ammunition container box ofclaim 1, wherein said compression device comprises an air bladderoperating as a foot.
 9. A container tray system for housing a topcontainer unit, the tray being fixedly mounted on a vehicle surface, thetray comprising: a. mounts for mounting onto the vehicle surface; b. abottom surface for supporting cans placed thereon; c. at least one wheelwell recessed below a plane on the bottom surface and adapted tocompliment a wheel on the top container unit, when the top containerunit is optional placed thereon.
 10. The container tray of claim 8,further comprising a roller bar at the front of the tray.
 11. A roofrack for mounting on a vehicle, the roof rack including: a. mounts formating with a surface of the vehicle roof; b. support beams across abottom of the roof rack; c. an apertured base plate at the bottom of theroof rack to support items placed thereon; d. at least one telescopingside bracket to allow manipulation of a size of exposed portion of thebase plate for storing items.
 12. The roof rack of claim 11 wherein saidat least one telescoping side bracket includes at least two apertures toprovide for bolt-mounting two sliding intercoupling brackets so as tofix the particular size of the exposed portion of the base plate.
 13. Aclamp system to be mounted on a vehicle surface the clamp systemincluding at least two rising plates to mount the clamp, at least afirst clamp arm mounted on a first rising plate and a second clamp armmounted to a second rising plate, whereby said first and second clampsarms are rotatably mounted to the two rising plates such that a downwardforce on an interior portion of both clamp arms, the interior portionbeing set between the rising plates, forces rotation of the clamp armsin the opposite direction so as to close the clamp arms together. 14.The clamp system of claim 13 wherein said rising plates are fixed onto amount bracket on the surface of the vehicle, and said rising plates arepositioned relatively parallel one anther, and further comprising a toplatch with complimentary features on each of the first and second clamparms to allow top latch to secure first and second clamp arms to oneanother when together.